Kenyan Special forces are now fielding the French-made PGM 338 sniper rifle.
Kenya Defence Forces 40th Ranger Regiment Operators (Modelled after US Army 75th Ranger Regiment) were first seen in training with the rifle in April 2021.
Designed for snipers, this weapon is designed to handle targets up to 1200 m and beyond. The accuracy and repeatability of the system ensure the first shot on target, while the power of the calibre ensures maximum effectiveness even in light anti-material.
The PGM 338, also known as the PGM .338 LM (LM – Lapua Magnum) or PGM Mini-Hecate .338, is French sniper rifle from the early 1990’s (being produced since 1993). It uses the .338 Lapua Magnum (8.6×70mm) cartridge, which remains supersonic up to a range of 1200–1500 m depending on the exact ammunition type and environmental conditions.
The PGM 338 is intended to fulfill a long-range anti-personnel role, and fills the capability void between the lighter 7.62×51mm NATO (.308) anti-personnel sniper rifles, which do not have the sufficient maximum effective range to be effectively used at ultra long ranges, and the larger .50 BMG (12.7×99mm) anti-materiel rifles, which lack the portability of lighter rifle.
It features a manually operated, bolt action, high-strength steel bolt with 3 forward located lugs, detachable steel magazine, 10 rounds, double row, and folding adjustable-length stock.
The PGM 338 was designed by Chris L. Movigliatti of the Swiss AMSD company and is produced by PGM Précision of France. The rifle is distributed directly through PGM in France, Drake Associates, Inc. of the United States and in Germany and other European countries.
The PGM 338 main commercial competitors/equivalents on the high-end factory sniper rifle market are the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare and Sako TRG product lines. All these rifles are comparable performance-wise.